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Bluff pushes forward on cemetery transfer, considers volunteer cemetery board
Summary
Town staff reported meetings with county legal counsel and the possibility of an MOU or transfer to Hole in the Rock. Council favored creating a volunteer cemetery board to manage day‑to‑day operations rather than having the council assume that role.
Anne Laffonen updated the council on progress toward securing clearer management of Bluff Cemetery. She said she met with assistant county attorney Jen Nielsen to clarify boundaries and ownership of the southern portion of the site. "He understood that we were working to have Hole in the Rock take over the cemetery," she said, and added the county attorney will visit Bluff to review the site.
Chris McAnany is reviewing a drafted cemetery ordinance. Anne explained two possible governance approaches: the council could serve as the cemetery board, or the town could appoint a separate volunteer cemetery board to handle plot sales, scheduling and day-to-day management. "It's maybe one meeting a quarter," she said of the anticipated volunteer board's workload.
Anne said a county-level transfer or, at minimum, an MOU could be ready for the county commission in the near term so the town can finalize arrangements before year-end. Councilmembers expressed support for appointing a volunteer board to provide continuity and reduce the long-term burden on the council. No formal action was taken; staff will continue legal review and coordinate the county visit.
